23 Oct 2010

Audrey, my friend

The Power of the Dog

Rudyard Kipling

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie--
Perfect passsion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart to a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find--it's your own affair--
But ... you've given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone--wherever it goes--for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve:
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-term loan is as bad as a long--
So why in--Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?
Goodbye, my dear, dear little Audrey.

You have been a dear and loyal friend for so many years.

I shall miss you more than I can say.

17 comments:

  1. Jeanne: I am so sorry. You seem to be having more than your fair share of griefs just now. ♥cyber~Hugs♥

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  2. Jeanne, having only "met" Audrey recently, I had no idea she was an older dog. I am so sorry to hear she has gone. Pets are so precious. xo♥xo

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  3. I'm sorry Jeanne! Love, kisses and hugs to you all! xxx

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  4. I'm so sorry, dearest Jeanne! Those sweet pups sure can work their way in to our hearts and families, can't they?

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  5. SO sorry to hear of Audrey's passing Jeanne. xoxoxo

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  6. I'm so sorry Jeanne. Hugs to you.
    xo

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  7. What sad news, I know how hard it can be to loose a 4 legged member of the family.

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  8. Jeanne, I am so sorry to hear your news about sweet Audrey. Our Lily died almost a year ago, and, even though we now have Jasper, I am still sad when I think of her precious self. I wrote about it on my blog right after she died and included another lovely poem you might want to read.

    xo

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  9. so sorry. they are such important pieces of our lives aren't they?

    we mourned our friend Sam about two years ago... many happy memories.

    amy in peru

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  10. They leave a rather large tear, don't they? I'm truly sorry for your sadness.

    At least twice a year I still dream that my beloved Bumpus comes jumping into my arms. Rudy expressed it well.

    xxoo

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  11. Oh, I'm so sorry. Hugs to you. I know how much I love Annie. I can't imagine. I'll be thinking of you.

    Lynn

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  12. So sorry for your loss Jeanne. As you know, I lost my beloved dog a few months ago so the same feelings of grief and sadness are still raw here too. It's amazing how a dog can be loved so deeply isn't it. God puts these beautiful animals in our lives to be our companions, and they're that and more.

    Thinking of you all at this sad time.

    Love to you and your family xx

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  13. Thanks, Ellen, for the beautiful, beautiful poem.

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  14. So sorry to hear about the loss of your friend--that is a long friendship.

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  15. Oh Jeanne,
    I'm so sorry for your loss. I remember meeting Audrey in Jan. and going home to tell the family that if we ever had a dog it would have to be one like her.
    She was special!
    Louise

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